Often there is an impulse on the part of well-intentioned Catholics–clergy and laity alike–to do something more competently than someone else. My sense is that this is less often “clericalization” and more something along the spectrum of “busybody” to “incompetence.” Maybe with an occasional dash of laziness on the part of the one usurped.

[46.] The lay Christian faithful called to give assistance at liturgical celebrations should be well instructed and must be those whoseChristian life, morals and fidelity to the Church’s Magisterium recommend them. It is fitting that such a one should have received a liturgical formation in accordance with his or her age, condition, state of life, and religious culture. [Sacrosanctum Concilium 19] No one should be selected whose designation could cause consternation for the faithful.[Immensae Caritatis]

The loophole here, of course, is that too often the clergy are the ones for whom there is a question or concern about life witness, morals, and fidelity. And we’ve seen the tragic consequences in many dioceses in which the bishop is the one in whom there is little confidence.

The other challenge is when “busybodies” go searching for a scandal to break.

What might have once been a logical and widely applied principle becomes a boondoggle both morally and ecclesiologically. When priests and bishops have lower standards of behavior, rather than equal or higher ones, then all administration along these lines has the appearance of favoritism, and even prudent decisions have a taint about them.

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About catholicsensibility

Todd and his family live in Ames, Iowa. He serves a Catholic parish of both Iowa State students and town residents.

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve a parish in music ministry.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.